Global Travel No-Nos to Keep in Mind

In France, refrain from slicing raw veggies with cutlery, don't request extra spices in Portugal, and never flash the OK sign in Brazil to avoid trouble.

Travel Taboos Around the World

Here are some tips to ensure your journey remains pleasant.

Dining Customs

In Mexico, ditch the knife and fork for tacos; locals prefer to grab and eat them directly with their hands.

In Chile, mastering cutlery is a must as eating with your hands is frowned upon for lacking refinement.

Avoid slicing lettuce in your salad with a knife and fork while dining in France, as it's considered poor manners.

Never request salt or pepper in Portugal if they're not already on the table. Asking for additional seasoning is seen as insulting the chef, particularly given the pride in Portuguese cuisine.

Chopsticks are essential in Japan and come with strict usage rules. For instance, placing them to the right of your bowl signifies a funeral ritual, so avoid this when dining in Japan.

The Culture of Gifting

Receiving a gift with one hand in Vietnam is perceived as ungrateful and disrespectful. Always use both hands to show your respect and gratitude.

In China, avoid gifting items like watches or umbrellas as they are considered omens of bad luck, given their phonetic resemblance to words for 'death' and 'separation'.

When selecting gifts in the Netherlands, steer clear of sharp objects such as knives or scissors, as they're believed to carry bad omens.

Avoid the numbers 4 and 9 when giving gifts in Japan, as they are associated with bad luck and could be seen as disrespectful.

Gifting flowers in Russia, even bouquets, is discouraged as they are traditionally associated with funerals.

Body Language

In the Philippines, a firm handshake signifies a warm and close relationship between individuals.

Flashing the 'Ok' hand gesture in Brazil can land you in hot water, as it's considered a severe insult there.

In Dubai, a city with strict Islamic laws, public displays of affection like kissing or holding hands are strictly prohibited.

Pointing with your index finger at someone is regarded as extremely rude in Bangladesh.

Women should not touch monks or directly hand them anything in Thailand, as Buddhist monks are forbidden from contact with females.

Source: Vnexpress.net

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide